Question 1

How do you authenticate an antiquarian book before purchase?

Accepted Answer

Every La Librairie Antique listing explicitly mentions the first edition status (E.O. or 1st edition), print run, publication date (colophon), binding type (leather, parchment, gilding), format (12mo, folio, etc.), and detailed condition (foxing, dampstains, repairs if any). We provide multiple high-resolution photos. For items above 500 EUR, a provenance certificate is included when available.

Question 2

Do you ship to the United States? Will I pay import duties?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Antiquarian books ship duty-free to the USA under HTS code 9903.01.31 ("informational materials" exception, still valid after the August 2025 de-minimis suspension). Delivery: 7-12 days via Colissimo International tracked, 3-5 days via DHL Express. State sales tax may apply depending on your state (typically 0-9%).

Question 3

What payment methods do you accept from international buyers?

Accepted Answer

All major credit cards (Visa, MasterCard, American Express, JCB), PayPal with Buyer Protection (recommended for non-EU customers), SEPA bank transfer for Europe, and SWIFT international wire for orders above 2000 EUR. Stripe-secured checkout (PCI-DSS Level 1).

Question 4

What is your return policy?

Accepted Answer

30-day return window for international buyers. Full refund (including return shipping) if the book does not match our description. Convenience returns: buyer covers return postage, refund issued upon receipt of the book in its original condition.

Question 5

How can I verify a first edition?

Accepted Answer

A first edition (often abbreviated E.O. in French) is the first published version of a work. Identifiers: print run statement at the front/back, colophon date, paper and format specifications, reference bibliographies (Vicaire, Carteret for French literature, Sadleir for 19th century English literature). Every listing mentions first edition status explicitly when applicable.

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Our Antiquarian Books Catalog

Quatrains on Seasons and Life by Garnier❦ Garnier, Auguste Pierre La Branche de gui ou Recueil de Quatrains + dédicace

French military aviation manual❦ Aviation bombardier reconnaissance chasse

Autograph letter signed by Bernard Privat❦ Bernard Privat lettre signée

The Rikiki Family by Cami (1928)❦ Cami La famille Rikiki 1928

Moscow through my eyes in 1925❦ Moscou BERAUD HENRI CE QUE J’AI VU A MOSCOU 1925

Buy me, pretty blonde! A rare erotic album❦ GERBAULT Ach’tez-moi, joli blond !

Classic French recipes from the Mère Denis❦ Recettes préférées de la Mère Denis. 365 menus, 365 recettes. Un an de bonne cui

Masters of Craftsmanship: Guild Treasures Past and Present❦ Compagnons Chefs-D’Oeuvre , inédits , anciens et contemporains

Jacques Lemercier: Royal Architect and Engineer❦ Jacques Lemercier architecte et ingénieur du Roi

Elementary Geography Course❦ Eléments de géographie. Cours élémentaire 1900

Surrealist medium: rare surrealist journal issues❦ Surréalisme MÉDIUM. Informations surréalistes Jean Schuster

Tristan’s Tragic Heroine in Critical Edition❦ TRISTAN La Mariane Tragédie Edition critique publiée par Jacques Madeleine 1917

Condemned Man’s Final Hours & Social Justice Tales❦ HUGO Le Dernier jour d’un condamné. Claude Gueux 1857 Hetzel Le Beau Pécopin

Christopher Pitt’s 1782 Poetical Works❦ Pitt Christopher The Poetical Works of Christ Pitt 1782

Adventures of a Young Naturalist in the 19th Century❦ Aventures d’un jeune naturaliste HETZEL

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